Maine to get $75,000 in Skechers false advertising settlement

This undated handout image provided by the Federal Trade Commission shows and advertisement for Skechers fitness shoes. Skechers USA will pay $40 million to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission that the footwear company made unfounded claims that its Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight and strengthen their rear-end, leg and stomach muscles.

The Associated Press

Posted May 16, 2012, at 4 p.m.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s attorney general says the state will get nearly $75,000 as a part of a settlement between the Federal Trade Commission and a footwear company over unsubstantiated health claims about its products.

Skechers USA Inc. will pay $40 million to settle charges by the FTC that the company made unfounded claims that its Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight and strengthen their butt, leg and stomach muscles. The FTC says Skechers also made false claims about other shoe styles it makes.

Attorney General William Schneider said Wednesday that of the total settlement, Maine, 43 other states and Washington, D.C., will share $5 million, with Maine getting $74,715.